Led by Mind and Mental Health Rethink, Time to Change is England's biggest programme to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination.

We all have mental health, like we all have physical health. Both change throughout our lives and, like our bodies, our minds can become unwell.

Mental health problems might actually be more common than you think. One in four of us will be affected by stress or mental illness in any year and one in six at any given time. The effects are as real as a broken arm, even though there isn’t a sling or plaster cast to show for it.

One in four of us are likely to experience mental health problems in our lives so it is quite likely that one day you, one of your friends, colleagues or family members will experience a mental health problem. Around 39% of employees stated that they would hide mental health problems from their employer as they were worried about the stigma around it.

Everyone needs to work harder to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental ill health. Businesses are well placed to lead the way to changing this harmful prejudice by giving their employees the necessary tools and support to enable them to discuss mental health in an open and unbiased way.

“Lack of understanding breeds fear so improving employees’ awareness and understanding of mental illness is one of the most important things a company’s senior management team can do and a critical first step is to challenge the stigma surrounding mental ill health in the workplace." (Dr Mark Winwood, director of clinical psychology at AXA PPP healthcare)

The University has signed up to the Time to Change Charter and has put in place an action plan for training and awareness across the University.